IPL 2019: Virat Kohli decodes reason for RCB's title drought

Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) finished sixth in the previous IPL edition and will be hungry for success in IPL 2019 which commences from March 23.

Virat Kohli will once again lead Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the upcoming IPL 2019 edition&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspPTI

Indian skipper Virat Kohli is gearing up for the next edition of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). With the IPL 2019 opener scheduled to take place between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (Chepauk) on March 23, all eyes will be on the Kohli-led RCB to change their fortunes and go the distance for their maiden title.

Since the inception of the tournament, RCB have played in three finals (2009, 2011 and 2016), only to finish second on all times. Speaking on the failure of RCB to win a single title so far, Kohli pointed out to the reporters, "The failure lies where decisions aren't made properly. If I sit here and say our luck was bad, that won't be right. You make your own luck, and if you make poor decisions and the other team makes good ones, you will lose. When we played big matches too, our decision-making wasn't right."

RCB played their first final in the second edition of the championship wherein they took on the now-defunct Deccan Chargers (DC). They lost the clash by a whisker and were completely thrashed by CSK in their second final of the tournament back in 2011. In 2016, RCB defied all odds to reach the summit clash after winning back-to-back matches from a must-win situation. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), led by David Warner, rode past Kohli-led Bangalore franchise by 8 runs to claim the trophy.

RCB have been in torrid form in the last two editions despite the presence of Kohli and AB de Villiers. The team has, time and again, been blamed for being too dependent on the duo.

Kohli also spoke about the development of a team culture wherein youngsters are given enough time to strengthen their case and take the franchise forward post the Kohli-ABD era. "We all are here taking care of that culture for now. We're not going to be here after a few years, none of us can be here forever. But RCB will remain for a long, long time and the next lot of players that come in should feel that culture, embrace it and be proud of being part of this franchise," added the 30-year-old.

RCB have a formidable lineup for the upcoming edition with the inclusion of Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetymer, Henrich Klaseen and have the experience of Kohli and de Villiers to bail out the team from crisis situations. On the other hand, Colin de Grandhomme and Moeen Ali add to the all-rounders' slot and the franchise have a decent bowling lineup in form of Yuzvendra Chahal, Tim Southee, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Umesh Yadav. Can they outplay their opponents in the upcoming season? Time will tell.

IPL 2019: Virat Kohli decodes reason for RCB's title drought Description:Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) finished sixth in the previous IPL edition and will be hungry for success in IPL 2019 which commences from March 23.Times Now